Imagine your street with
50 percent less traffic. Imagine drivers acting as guests on your street
- now transformed into a dynamic “outdoor living room” with children
playing and neighbors chatting.

Historically, streets were
not just for traffic. They were the epicenter of community life - a
place for socializing, children's play, drama, education, celebrations,
social events, and economic activity. These important functions have
been slowly eroded as car traffic has exerted its dominance. Part social
history and part community-activist handbook, Street Reclaiming
celebrates the potential of our streets to become vibrant and prosperous
centers of culture and community once again.

International urban planner
David Engwicht provides a step-by-step process to psychologically and
physically reclaim our streets, starting with a simple six-week program
to reduce traffic by 30 to 50 percent (without involving local officials),
then introducing psychological reclaiming techniques that the whole
community can participate in to counter car culture and exert the community's
rights to the street. The last stage calls for actual physical reclaiming:
converting traffic space into community spaces that will enhance the
social fabric of the neighborhood.

From creative play spaces
and fantastic street murals to poetic pavement and street furniture,
Engwicht's smorgasbord of exciting ideas is contagious. Including more
than 140 lively illustrations, this is an excellent resource for community
activists and the broad range of professionals engaged in community
planning.

About the Author

David Engwicht is an award-winning
urban design and transportation consultant. He has presented at international
conferences and consulted for city and government departments in the
U.K., Australia, and North America. Engwicht has authored six previous
books on traffic and community development. He lives in Australia.